Getting your player ready...
Coming in with 22 players this season, Rams second-year coach Steve Fairchild filled some immediate concerns at running back and quarterback and signed an All-America punter. The Rams were ranked 101st out of 119 Division I-A teams by Rivals.com, but Fairchild says he doesn’t put any weight into numbers like that. A look at the Rams’ class of 2009:
Gray shirt signed last February. Has already gained 30 pounds since high school.
Captain of his high school wrestling team. Distant relative of Jim Thorpe.
Despite size, plays point guard on basketball team. Missed summer recruiting season with an injury.
One of two three-star Rivals picks. Named defensive line MVP of Pinellas County All-Star Game in January. Was ranked seventh-best prospect in the Tampa Bay area by St. Petersburg Times.
Will compete in spring for starting job. Served an LDS mission in Brazil. Ran a 4.5 yard 40-yard dash. Foot injury cost him most of sophomore year at Snow. Was born in Fort Morgan.
Another gray shirt who signed last year. Already enrolled.
The other three-star signee. Tenth-rated back in Texas. Rushed for 734 yards in seven games on 102 carries. Will compete for early playing time.
Shot and discus standout in track. Played at both tackle and guard.
Graduated early and is already enrolled. If he does well in spring ball, he has an outside shot to play as a freshman.
First USA Today All-American in CSU history. Also EASports/ESPN.com All-American. 4.78 hang time best in state of Florida. Had one 65-yard punt.
Last-minute signee. Fairchild coached his dad, Mario Mitchell, at San Diego State.
Three-star already enrolled and will compete in spring. Had season high 161 yards, 4 TD vs. San Jacinto JC.
Projected as an offensive lineman. Averaging 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in basketball. Dad played at UCLA and was an eighth-round draft pick by Detroit, where he played for four years.
Lone in-state recruit will compete for early playing time. All-Colorado selection ran for more than 1,700 yards and 34 TDs on 199 carries. Team undefeated in regular season. Also a track sprinter.
Last-minute signee when linebacker opening materialized. Younger brother of Texas All-America linebacker Brian Orakpo. Played safety in high school.
CSU held off late bid from Iowa State. 6A Central Florida player of the year. Fairchild said he liked the way Rainieri yelled at his receivers. Passed for nearly 2,500 yards.
Grew out of his freshman position at quarterback. Weight thrower in track. Earned all-district honors.
With a 4.4 40-yard dash and 21.36 personal best in 200 meters, Scott had a scholarship offer to run track at Oklahoma. All-around player at wideout, running back and cornerback.
Eight interceptions last season for state’s top defensive unit. Also a track sprinter.
Projected at safety with 15 more pounds. Earned all-state honors and runner-up for league defensive player of the year. Could also help as a punt returner.
Another gray shirt who signed last February. Was a 2007 all-state pick.
All-metro and all-county honors. Recorded 10 tackles and two fumble recoveries in Central Florida All-Star Game. Has competed in weightlifting.
